What you need to know about dog shedding and what to do about it. The following is a brief, simple but comprehensive guide to dog shedding and how to prevent excess hair loss (or ‘hair fall’).
What is dog shedding?
Dog shedding refers to excess hair loss in canines. All animals shed hair at certain times of the year, including dogs. If you have a dog, be prepared to clean hair off the couch (or your dog’s pet bed). It’s part of life with a dog. Of course, certain dog breeds will shed more than others. But it’s the kind of excess dog shedding, outside of the normal range for the breed of dog or the season, that concerns us dog owners the most.
Excessive dog shedding refers to more than the normal hair shed that is all part of the life-cycle of a healthy coat. Abnormal levels of hair loss can be indicative of a variety of health conditions or simply overall health.
Causes of excessive dog shedding
Abnormal or excessive hair shedding in dogs can be caused by the following:
Skin infections: Fungal, bacterial, viral and parasite infections of the skin in dogs include common fungal infections such as Ringworm and bacterial infections such as Pyoderma.
Systemic infections: Though it is not commonly a primary symptom, excessive and chronic hair loss in dogs can be symptomatic of persistent infections.
Allergies: Allergies can cause localized but severe itching in dogs. The resultant scratching can lead to widespread hair loss, with persistent coat shedding and even the development of bald patches in your dog’s coat over time.
Mites, ticks and fleas: Infestations can cause very severe hair loss in dogs. This can be localized shedding, or an increase in overall coat shedding.
Overall physical and mental health issues: Other common causes of excess hair fall in dogs include dietary deficiencies, dehydration and stress.
How to reduce excess dog shedding
Feed your dog a good, varied diet: Ensure that your dog has a balanced diet that provides all the vitamins and minerals they need. Your dog’s diet should include plenty of Omega 3 fatty acids for a healthy, shiny coat and reduced shedding.
Keep your dog hydrated: Make sure your dog has access to enough water – especially in hot, dry weather and after exercise.
Grooming: Keeping your dog’s coat shining and healthy involves bathing and brushing on a regular basis – especially with long hair breeds. However, you should not bath your dog too often as this can cause dry skin. This will increase hair fall. Whether as part of a bath routine or not, regular brushing will help keep your dog’s coat oiled and healthy. This may significantly reduce your dog shedding.
Exercise, training and attention: A healthy dog is a happy, secure dog. Regular exercise, dog training and plenty of love and playtime may be the antidote your dog needs to stop shedding.
Before you worry too much about a sudden increase in your dog losing hair, remember that dog shedding (even excess shedding) is perfectly normal in spring and summer! If your dog is otherwise healthy and well groomed, dog shedding is nothing to worry about – besides the daily clean up job!
